Executive Overview
The global theatrical community has its eyes firmly fixed on Stratford-upon-Avon, where the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has officially unveiled its highly anticipated, all-male production of William Shakespeare’s enduring pastoral comedy, As You Like It. Opening to the public on October 6, 2026, at the historic Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the production marks a monumental career milestone for Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff. Fresh off his acclaimed, Tony-nominated run in Broadway’s Just in Time—which concluded its engagement at Circle in the Square earlier this year on March 29—Groff crosses the Atlantic to make his official RSC debut. In a bold artistic choice that harks back to Elizabethan theatrical traditions, Groff takes on the iconic, multifaceted role of Rosalind.
Directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans, this bold staging began performances on September 26 and is scheduled to run through November 7, 2026. The release of official production photos has sent waves of excitement across cultural media platforms, offering theatergoers an enticing glimpse into a vibrant, music-filled, and rigorously physical reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s classic text. Featuring an all-male ensemble cast brimming with heavy-hitting UK theatrical talent, innovative set designs, and a newly orchestrated musical landscape, this production of As You Like It promises to be one of the defining theatrical events of the autumn season.
Detailed Chronology & Production Timeline
The journey toward this landmark production has been meticulously mapped out by the RSC’s creative leadership, culminating in a swift and intensely rehearsed autumn rollout.
Pre-Production and Casting Announcements
Planning for the all-male staging of As You Like It began months in advance under the guidance of Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans. The production required a rare breed of classical actor: performers capable of effortlessly navigating Shakespearean verse while possessing elite physical comedy, musicality, and stage combat skills. The casting process brought together a powerhouse ensemble, led by international stage and screen luminary Jonathan Groff. For Groff, stepping into the Royal Shakespeare Theatre represents a deliberate return to classical roots, following a string of monumental Broadway triumphs.
Rehearsals and First Previews
Rehearsals kicked off in late summer 2026, focusing heavily on the physical dynamics of the Forest of Arden and the intricate gender-swapping mechanics central to Rosalind’s journey. The cast gathered in Stratford-upon-Avon to integrate music supervisor Theo Jamieson’s arrangements and movement director Michela Meazza’s choreography.
The production officially began its preview performances on September 26, 2026. These initial nights allowed the creative team to fine-tune the comedic timing, pacing, and audience interaction within the expansive Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Opening Night and Public Run
The production reached its official opening night milestone on October 6, 2026. Garnering immediate critical praise for its inventive staging and powerhouse performances, the show is currently in the thick of its limited engagement. Performances will continue to run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre through November 7, 2026, before closing out its autumn residency.
Supporting Context & Metrics
To fully appreciate the weight of this production, one must examine the stellar credentials of the cast and creative team, as well as the unique theatrical traditions being honored.
An All-Male Cast Rooted in Elizabethan Tradition
Staging As You Like It with an all-male cast is a deliberate nod to early modern English theatre, where female roles were originally played by young male actors. However, modern interpretations like Evans’s version use this convention not merely as a historical novelty, but as a lens to explore identity, performance, and gender fluidity.
Jonathan Groff stars as Rosalind (who, disguised as the young man Ganymede, spends much of the play instructing Orlando in the art of love). Groff is joined by an extraordinary roster of British talent:
- Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper, Slave Play) as Celia
- Elliot Barnes-Worrell as Orlando
- Gary Wilmot in the dual roles of Duke Frederick and Duke Senior
- Richard McCabe as the melancholic Jaques
- Greg Haiste as Touchstone
- Giles Cooper as Le Beau
- Steffan Harri as Gwilym/Syr Osian
- Rhys Parry Jones as Corin/Hymen/a Lord at Court/a Lord in Arden
- Edward Judge as Charles the Wrestler/Silvius
- Gareth Kennerley as First Lord in Arden
- Luke McCall as Amiens
- Tim Preston as Phoebe/a Lord at Court
- Caleb Roberts as Oliver
- Gareth Snook as Adam/Audrey
- Ensemble members Jamal Franklin and Steffan Hughes round out the dynamic company.
Jonathan Groff’s Illustrious Stage and Screen Career
Jonathan Groff’s addition to the RSC roster elevates his already legendary resume. Groff won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his blistering performance as Franklin Shepard in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. Prior to that, his career was marked by boundary-pushing stage work, including his Tony-nominated breakout performance as Melchior Gabor in Spring Awakening (2006), his star turn as King George III in Hamilton (2015), and his appearance in In My Life.
Beyond the theater, Groff is globally recognized for his television and film work, including his starring role as Holden Ford in David Fincher’s Netflix series Mindhunter, his fan-favorite turn as Jesse St. James in Fox’s Glee, and voicing the beloved mountaineer Kristoff in Disney’s cultural phenomenon Frozen and Frozen II. Most recently, he wowed Broadway audiences in the Bobby Darin musical Just in Time, which played its final performance at Circle in the Square on March 29, 2026.
The Creative Visionaries
Behind the scenes, Daniel Evans has assembled a top-tier creative team to bring the pastoral English wilderness to life:
- Director: Daniel Evans
- Set Designer: Anisha Fields
- Costume Designer: Colin Richmond
- Lighting Designer: Ryan Day
- Movement Director: Michela Meazza
- Composer, Arranger, and Music Supervisor: Theo Jamieson
- Sound Designer: Paul Groothuis
- Fight Director: Kev McCurdy
- Dramaturg: Dr. Will Tosh
- Casting Director: Charlotte Sutton
Official Statements and Artistic Vision
The artistic philosophy driving this production centers on joy, community, and the transformative power of pastoral escape. Speaking ahead of the opening, Co-Artistic Director and Director Daniel Evans articulated his vision for the play:
“As You Like It asks for a company of actors who can embrace wit, singing, and wrestling! I’m over the moon with our cast and can’t wait to revel in their generosity, curiosity, and talent. Soon, we’ll be inviting audiences into our Forest of Arden to experience the transformational power of love!”
Evans’s emphasis on "wit, singing, and wrestling" is vividly captured in the newly released production photography. The images highlight the stark contrast between the rigid, authoritarian structures of the court and the liberating, chaotic energy of the Forest of Arden. With lush costume designs by Colin Richmond and evocative, earthy set design by Anisha Fields, the production successfully bridges classical Elizabethan aesthetics with a fresh, contemporary sensibility.
Dramaturg Dr. Will Tosh has worked closely with the company to ensure that the textual integrity of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is honored while allowing the actors room to find modern resonance in the play’s themes of identity, political exile, and romantic role-playing. Meanwhile, Theo Jamieson’s musical arrangements weave live singing deeply into the fabric of the storytelling, transforming Arden into a truly acoustic, harmonious sanctuary.
Future Outlook & Industry Impact
As As You Like It continues its run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre through November 7, 2026, the theatrical industry is watching closely to see how this high-profile staging influences international classical programming.
For the Royal Shakespeare Company, casting an American musical theatre heavyweight like Jonathan Groff in a central Shakespearean trouser role signals a bold, outward-looking strategy. It demonstrates the RSC’s commitment to breaking down traditional barriers between musical theatre performance styles and classical text work. For Groff, a successful RSC debut opens the door to a broader international classical career, proving that his immense talents extend far beyond Broadway showtunes and contemporary screen dramas.
Theater enthusiasts eager to secure tickets or explore production resources can visit the official Royal Shakespeare Company portal at RSC.org.uk. With critical acclaim mounting and audiences flocking to Stratford-upon-Avon, this iteration of As You Like It is well on its way to securing its place in modern Shakespearean history as a joyous, masterclass exploration of love, laughter, and theatrical transformation.
